In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Jakarta ahead of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 – 2025), the ambassador emphasized that Vietnam has not only accompanied but also played a key role in bridging differences and fostering consensus among ASEAN member states and between ASEAN and its partners, thus reinforcing unity and the bloc’s central role in a volatile world.
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Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN |
Vietnam has effectively undertaken numerous rotational responsibilities within ASEAN. Notably, as host of the 6th ASEAN Summit in 1998, just three years after joining the bloc, Vietnam worked with other members to steer ASEAN through the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis. The summit adopted the Hanoi Plan of Action, maintaining momentum in regional cooperation and realizing the ASEAN Vision 2020.
As Chair of the 34th ASEAN Standing Committee (2000–2001), Vietnam advanced the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), including the adoption of the Hanoi Declaration on narrowing development gaps. Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010 marked a significant milestone with the expansion of the East Asia Summit (EAS), the establishment of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), and steps to turn the ASEAN Community Vision into actions.
In 2020, as ASEAN Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam responded swiftly with initiatives such as the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, Public Health Emergency Framework, ASEAN Recovery Framework, and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (AC-PHEED).
Vietnam has also served as coordinator for ASEAN’s relations with major partners, including China (2009–2012), the European Union (E.U.) (2012–2015), India (2015–2018), Japan (2018–2021), and the Republic of Korea (2021–2024). It is currently coordinating ASEAN’s partnerships with the UK and New Zealand (2024–2027).
As a co-architect of ASEAN’s long-term goals, Vietnam has contributed to shaping key strategic documents such as the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Charter, and the ASEAN Community Visions for 2025 and 2045, along with various master plans on connectivity and narrowing development gaps.
In a shifting regional and global landscape, Vietnam has actively participated in building rules-based frameworks to uphold peace, stability, and cooperation. Its ASEAN membership has also brought wide-ranging benefits - enhancing Vietnam’s international integration, expanding trade, and strengthening its role and reputation.
ASEAN is now Vietnam’s fourth-largest export market and third-largest importer. Bilateral trade surged from 3.26 billion USD in 1995 to 83.6 billion USD in 2024. Agreements like RCEP and ASEAN plus one FTAs have further boosted market access and investment flows. Vietnamese citizens benefit directly from ASEAN cooperation across multiple fields, including public health, education, labor, green and digital transition, climate response, and smart agriculture.
Continued contributions to ASEAN
Regarding to Vietnam’s role in ASEAN today, according to the ambassador, Vietnam has continued to actively contribute to ASEAN’s development. Currently, Vietnam chairs the IAI Task Force in the initiative's 25th anniversary year. It is leading the development of Work Plan V (2026–2030), a core component of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Vietnam’s leadership ensures the plan remains inclusive, effective, and aligned with long-term goals for narrowing development gaps and promoting sustainable growth.
Vietnam is also serving as coordinator for ASEAN–New Zealand relations (2024–2027). In 2025, marking 50 years of partnership, Vietnam is working closely with both sides to prepare a commemorative summit and adopt a Joint Vision Statement, elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and finalize an action plan for 2026–2030.
Additionally, in its role as coordinator for ASEAN–U.K. relations, Vietnam is promoting the finalization of the plan of action for 2022–2026 (currently 95% implemented), operationalizing the ASEAN–U.K. Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement on Connectivity in 2024, and preparing for the 5th anniversary of ASEAN–U.K. Dialogue Partnership in 2026, and draft the ASEAN–U.K. Plan of Action for 2027-2031.
Successfully fulfilling these key roles will demonstrate Vietnam’s meaningful contributions to ASEAN at a pivotal moment, reinforcing the bloc’s centrality and further enhancing Vietnam’s international standing, the diplomat said.
Source: VNA